Atlanta Police Officer Intentionally Hit By Car Just Outside of Decatur
Decatur Metro | July 21, 2011UPDATE: The AJC reports that the suspect has been identified as Khalif Edwards by Channel 2 Action News.
The AJC reports that an Atlanta Police officer was hit by a driver that he had pulled over just outside of the Decatur city limits at College and Sisson Avenue, near the old Dannaman’s grocery store location this evening.
According to the AJC, 9-year veteran of the Atlanta Police force Patrick Apoian got into an altercation with a driver after a traffic stop.
Apoian was run over and was alert while being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of leg and chest injuries. He was in stable condition late Thursday night and is expected to survive his injuries, police said.
The suspect had not been located as of 9pm this evening and that he may have had kids in the car with them. Fox5 says police are looking for a gold Honda.
I saw Atlanta Police rush down DeKalb Avenue this afternoon around this time and turn down onto College Ave. This must have been the reason. Geez…
Bastards.
Pat is great cop and good guy. He helped east lake start it’s security patrol, and runs the humble heroes group for injured officers and firefighters.
All prayers for healthy and speedy recovery.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I was afraid that the erratic police car behavior I saw and the blocking of every intersection at College from Rocky Ford on up to Whitefoord and Dekalb Avenue around 6 p.m. looked like a manhunt. Was hoping it was just a dignitary.
Hope the officer recovers completely and swiftly and that they catch the idiot swiftly as well. Damn.
yes, I was leaving the edgewood target about this time yesterday and was hoping it was for a dignitary (but it had a man hunt vibe too it). Officer & family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Officer Pat has been a tremendous asset to the citizens in Kirkwood and is a key component of the Kirkwood Security Patrol. The Kirkwood board has been lit up with this news. There will be a fundraiser at Avellino’s (and possible some other businesses). Here are the details:
“Just spoke with Mitch over at Avellino’s Pizza and he has pledged 20% of all sales, and all server tips, all day Wednesday going to help Pat and his family. And even if you don’t want pizza, but want to help out, they’ll be accepting donations all day as well. They will be open from 4pm – 10pm (and maybe even a little later if needed).
If you haven’t been there, the pizza is excellent, but most importantly this is the kind of community support and spirit that makes this a great place to live. Please help if you can, Detective Pat has done so much for this community.
Avellino’s Pizza
(404) 228-3285
902 West College Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
http://www.avellinospizzeria.com“
Remind me of this next Tuesday and I’ll give it its own post.
Copied from Kirkwood message boards:
“The East Lake Farmers Market (Hosea Wms & 2nd Avenue) will be collecting donations thruout the day this Saturday 7/22
Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop (2752 E. Ponce DeLeon Ave near the Dekalb Farmers Market) will help out by donating 20% of all sales Monday 7/25 from 10:30 – 8:00. This includes catered and delivered orders.”
Kirkwood Feed and Seed and Bark and Lounge also participating in 20% donation from sales of next Wednesday, just like Avellino’s.
Detective Pat is the most important person in Kirkwood. He is the heart and soul of the neighborhood. Khalif Edwards has ripped this neighborhood’s heart out and deserves to spend the rest of his days at Reidsville.
Over a simple traffic stop! And with two kids in his car!
Fox Brothers and Smith’s Olde Bar are also participating with a 15% donation.
Suspect has a record half a yard long including multiple felony charges. Yay for the Revolving Door of Dekalb Justice.
So sorry to hear of this but how wonderful the community businesses are offering solid ways to help this man and his family.
Wow, I was facebook friends with this guy and someone asked me what happened with “khalif” today and I said, “Oh, he got married and had kids, that kind of stuff takes up a lot of time.” And now all of a sudden I see this.
[...] Valencia Hudson, from councilmember Natalyn Archibong’s office, arrived to speak to the neighbors. She mentioned that water bills are going up and said that the APD would not be able to attend the night’s meeting because of a hit-and-run on College Avenue. [...]
Officer Pat Apoian is a hero in many ways. I know him as the Atlanta police officer who single handedly started “HUMBLE HEROES.” He started it with a friend who died soon after and Pat then took on the challenge by himself. His purpose is to offer support of all kinds (including financial) to police officers and firemen suffering cancer and other debilitating illnesses or injuries. He devotes many hours a week to finding ways to help people. It is with a great loss of his own personal time, but he does it happily. I know about Pat because my own husband who was a 27-year veteran of Smyrna Police Department, died November of 2010 with brain cancer. Pat was very kind to me and my family. What a tragedy that some thug like Edwards is healthy enough to be running from police, while Officer Pat is trying to deal with injuries that could have ended his life. I hope and pray that DeKalb County will take this miserable excuse for a human being (Edwards) off the streets forever. I want to send a donation for him and will call the APD for instructions. God bless you, Pat. I’m praying for your healing.